I’m a 72 year old white guy and man, that is some hard truth.
I have been blessed mostly due to the life paths that my children have followed to be learning for many years now of the exceptionalism, entitlement and elitism that the color of my skin just had me feeling was a living assumption that I’ve had rights that many others do not enjoy.
Well, one thing I WILL say for the Trump/Project2025 regime is that those ‘assumptions’ are actually called into question, and if I thought I’d learned something from my children and what is now an extended and diverse family, THIS stuff today and every day is like a graduate course. It just reinforces on a daily basis the insidiously cruel absurdity of walking through life thinking you are all that because of what you look like and what you have-much of which is because-I will say it again-you look like what you look like.
So here we ALL we are-up against it and many of us have screwed ourselves in ways we’re still struggling to comprehend.
The very thing Ms. Reid speaks of and calls out is the very stuff of recognition and call to action that this regime is trying to silence.
I appreciate your eloquence, candor and your thoughtful selection of people who are not only speaking truth to the blatant misuse of power but also to the insidious and long standing misuse of ‘assumed’ power that’s the toxic underpinning of the very thing that’s threatening this country and the world right now.
This is humbling to hear and read, but it is SO crucial.
There’s going to brunch and there is going to brunch.
I'm an older, white female. Back in the 60's, 70's, 80's, we fought together with people for voting rights, civil rights, female rights, government transparency on Vietnam and policies, we didn't do it as whites trying to gain more privileges (except for rights for ALL females.) We all did it because we were trying to create a more perfect union for all people. Doing what was fair, moral, right.
The perception that white privilege is the reason for what is going on throws away all the events leading up to this take over of our law/order, democratic republic. 1st US Supreme Court in Citizens United case allowed numbers of mega-wealthy to get into PACS to buy the people who run for office in our local, state, federal governments. Lobbyists and donors became more important to our elected politicians than the people who they represent! 2nd US Supreme Court took away large sections of the Voting Rights Bill. Gerrymandering, voting regulations in states gave outsized power to politicians who didn't represent the majority of voters. Huge amounts of money cannot be minimized. Media, local newspapers, TV gradually became the main way to spread lies, propaganda, fear, anger and the scapegoats to blame for all complaints and pet peeves. Families gradually started living on the razor edge of bankruptcy. 2 people had to work to support themselves and perhaps a family. The newer generations have less wealth, opportunities, education than their parents. Homes, cars, college are beyond the reach of so many today.
With less education on history, civics, financial matters, people reached for any group that welcomed their dissatification and anger. The group is lead by wealthy, greedy, corrupt megalomaniacs that want more power and wealth and don't care about how they get what they want. GOP/trump/Heritage/Project 2025/Oligarchs all banded together to spead lies, propaganda that riled up their MOB. They found immigrants easy targets, POC, overseas/foreign competition for jobs/businesses, Jews, all females are again property of the male population- rape/incest criminals get small sentences, rape DNA kits are unprocessed, wealthy sex traffickers get their cases buried or witnesses disappear, court cases are dropped, people are Pardoned if they are wealthy, connected.
In trump 1.0, I found females on Twitter who had fire in their bellies to fight GOP determination to take away abortion rights. They turned out to be mostly black women. They did not want me joining forces with them because I didn't know the suffering and pain of black women. I was confused and dismayed that I couldn't help right a wrong early on. Then came the SCOTUS reversal of a 50 yr old law I helped get passed. 50 states would own the bodies of all fertile females in their borders.
I think this whole situation is because of the wealth disparity and economic conditions, because females are more and more educated and therefore capable of surviving without males. They don't want marriage, children. All males are confused and go without the importance they used to have automatically. They react with testosterone fueled anger, need for dominance. Anyone will serve as the objects they dominate.
Young white males are the ones who put trump 2.0 in power. They hang onto their cult of grievances, anger because they are probably the most undesirable group of people to mate with, marry, form a family with. They may have lower income, less upper mobility, education, social skills than any modern generation of young males. Females end up divorced raising a family and working full time/on welfare/food stamps because males want a younger, more pliable model.
Why would any person pass laws that FORCE a victim of rape, incest to give birth against their will? Dominance, increase birth rate for young workers and consumers of the future, establish females as barefoot, pregnant home workers and nannies. They must not compete with males for jobs, wages, justice, wealth, freedoms and rights.
This is basically a rich vs. poor, male vs. females, securing the top spot on the totem pole. Whoever corners the money, media, political power, white, black, tan, yellow, purple will eventually do the sames things happening now. If We ever get power of the People. law/order back, this will repeat itself in a generation or two as money, society, female/male influence/power, education becomes seriously unbalanced.
I fought peacefully for a better life for all Americans in my youth and We the People must do that NOW. I don't care who RESISTS but everyone must try to save our country and hope for the ability to vote to govern ourselves, to create a more perfect Union. Without everyone rowing to get away from this storm, We will surely sink into the darkness of dictatorship, oligarchy, theocracy like Russia and China.
I will keep this short. You offer analyses that want to exclude white supremacy as a major factor here. I have been in the struggle since the 60’s as well, as a Black woman. Your arguments occlude the reality of intersectionality, an idea that came from Black feminists to recognize how race is a factor among feminists. Also, I hope you’re not in a subtle way trying to say that unless Black folks show up in the way u think they should …..Blacks folks have showed up forever in this land and we will continue to do so out of self determination. Stay focused on what you want to do. We will do our job as always.
One correction on what I wrote earlier. Black feminists came up with concept of intersectionality not simply for White feminists but for all to recognize that the gender effect is also affected by race, class, sexual orientation, and on.
As always, Joy Reid is a truth teller unafraid to to confront us with our shortcomings. Such a pity that we aren't kneeling en masse before the experiences of people of color in dealing with the white ruling class & their wannabees throughout the entire history of "America." I mean, they know the drill as well as the tricks of the trade. And if you want a concrete example of how our future multiracial coalition might work, start following Bishop Barber of NC. He knows how that's done.
May I humbly suggest that as an act of “micro resistance” to the current regime, if you’re financially able, please get out this weekend and see the movie “Audrey’s Children.” It will remind you that 1) millions of lives can be improved and saved when humans from different races, sexes, and nations come together in cooperation for a common goal; 2)amazing things can transpire when one person is relentlessly persistent in pursuing a goal and is willing to cause some “good trouble; 3)that when institutions and corporations are willing to cooperate on occasion, instead of compete, it can markedly and measurably benefit humanity; 4)the importance of having people of character and competence in charge of our national Health and Human Services Department.
Anand -- is this the problem? "Removing Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and the MAGA movement from power is the end goal, but putting together the necessarily multiracial coalition required to do that is a prerequisite." Isn't the long-overdue centering of BIPOC lives and voices the end goal, along with which this regime would necessarily be unimaginable? Yes we want them gone, but it's BECAUSE we want a multiracial, rich, diverse, colorful (however you want to describe it) country where white people step back and are led by anyone and everyone else. Just a white person here, so sick of us, admittedly selfishly ready for leadership by people who just seem to do life better. You are the end, not the means.
Thanks for holding the best in us up to the light. IMHO in fifty years, if our nation holds together, we will see what's happening now as the final death throes of that period of history when rich white men managed to bamboozle and bully the rest of us into submission, via a divide and conquer strategy. I mean, they aren't a majority anymore, if they ever were. Women alone comprise over 50% of the population, and by 2040 people of color will outnumber whites.
As a 73-year-old white woman, I have struggled to understand why my fellow whites continue to want that position of superiority. It seems so ingrained in many that they are unable to comprehend that we are all one human race.
Perhaps because my formative years were in the 60s I understand the fight for equality better than some who are younger. I recall riots in my hometown and voices denigrating Black Americans because of this and for other reasons. During that time I really didn't know any Black people but had read enough and learned enough to know they are no different than I.
I never thought - and still don't - think myself more exceptional or elite than any other person.
Joy, many thanks for bringing this to light. I will be doing my very best to share your thoughts with others and to vocally continue the fight for equality.
The difference with today's RESIST is the young of 60's, 70's, 80's are not as idealistic. USA had won 2 World Wars, our economy was humming, higher education was more affordable, GI bill offered college benefits, wealth was distributed more equally to workers, females were getting more education, independence. The young felt secure and fired up to change the world. Now, money is the only power for political control, huge privilege, future wealth, education, manipulation of society and millions of people trying to survive.
Males want females back at home, minding children and homestead. They do not want female competition for jobs, money, power, education, rights. If females are locked out of labor market, wages for males would have to go up. Supply and demand! But only until, governments decided to let immigrant males come into the country.
I know as a white woman my skin is more privileged than POC here. But, that doesn't mean anything about my character, morals, desire for equality, freedom, peaceful, rewarding lives for all.
Probably right about idealism though maybe hope is central to the thoughts as well. We knew we could effect change because we did. I think it’s certain males - conservative/MAGA types - want “traditional” values as you mention, the women at home, etc., but I’m hopeful it is a relatively small percentage. Given the cost of living, most families can’t get by on one income.
As a GenX, suburban, wyt woman who is actively committed to the work - this is one of the most relevant, perfectly articulated, necessarily direct conversations that I have ever heard! THANK YOU!!!
While attending the Seattle HANDS OFF, I was surprised to see so few Black people there. But, Joy nails it - Black Americans have zero reason to trust anything that's said, even BLACK LIVES MATTER. They have been rugpulled their entire lives. We, the People, need to earn BLACK AMERICAN trust. We've surely never had it or deserved to have it.
I hate that JoyAnn Reid was summarily cast off MSNBC - but now she can really speak truth to power - and to white-identified people - who, once again - have voted against their own economic interests and for an avowed racist nincompoop.
All I can say as a white person is Love is the answer to everything. The love that black people have given this country through the years is the example whites should take from blacks.
I’m unhappy with the Supreme Court not being able to make the administration return the men who are illegally and unconstitutionally imprisoned. They were not deported. Deported means being sent to your country of origin. The flagrant misuse of language just diminishes the extreme horror that we are witnessing.
Yes the stock market is important now but Due process protection is imperative because without it we won’t need retirement savings. It’s a slippery slope to collecting illegal immigrants and criminals etc because This will extend to others like Americans snd people who are resisting this regime. It’s not the fight for Black Americans to join because we need to shield them with our privilege and let them stay home and safe doing phone banking and boycotting etc lest more people of color are sent to out of country prisons. Judy my opinion thanks 🙏 Miss your show Joy!
I will not be a subscriber as long as you have joy read pontificating on your show. Ever since she ridiculed Bertie Sanders, I have no respect for her. And blaming white people for Black people‘s failure to show up at rallies is ridiculous.
Great will be the day we are all in the same boat of all forms of supremacy. I think Felon in Chief was able to cut across class for mostly the reasons Joy points out.
I compared Trump’s behavior with Hitler’s behavior through the lens of Hannah Arendt’s seminal study, “The Origins of Totalitarianism”, original copyright 1948, and posted it on Apr 5, 2025 (“Remember Hitler” – 12 pages). That and your Joy Reid podcast prompted this comment.
Project 2025 is the bulk of Trump’s executive orders to date, but we still do not know Trump’s true aims. I submit we underestimate his sociopathy (impaired empathy and remorse + disinhibited and egocentric behavior), and we vastly underestimate the influence of Hitler (My New Order, original copyright 1941). Trump is not Hitler, not even close, but he knows how Hitler got his power and with grim persistence is copying him. Trump is consolidating power much like Hitler did in 1933. Next year Trump will be an octogenarian; time is not his friend, he cannot stop. Everything Trump has done from 2015 to present, including his Jan 6, 2021, insurrection, has a parallel in Hitler’s methods and oratorical techniques. Like Hitler, Trump built MAGA on a classless mass movement, he threatens Republicans and Democrats alike. Is Trump a Republican? Of course not, he is the epitome of a RINO.
My guess is he could care less about diversity, equity, or inclusion, or even gay and transgender people, or even abortion. Trump’s true aim is, I venture, no less than a legacy of power and accomplishment.
Thank you, Anand and to Joy Reid too for this.
I’m a 72 year old white guy and man, that is some hard truth.
I have been blessed mostly due to the life paths that my children have followed to be learning for many years now of the exceptionalism, entitlement and elitism that the color of my skin just had me feeling was a living assumption that I’ve had rights that many others do not enjoy.
Well, one thing I WILL say for the Trump/Project2025 regime is that those ‘assumptions’ are actually called into question, and if I thought I’d learned something from my children and what is now an extended and diverse family, THIS stuff today and every day is like a graduate course. It just reinforces on a daily basis the insidiously cruel absurdity of walking through life thinking you are all that because of what you look like and what you have-much of which is because-I will say it again-you look like what you look like.
So here we ALL we are-up against it and many of us have screwed ourselves in ways we’re still struggling to comprehend.
The very thing Ms. Reid speaks of and calls out is the very stuff of recognition and call to action that this regime is trying to silence.
I appreciate your eloquence, candor and your thoughtful selection of people who are not only speaking truth to the blatant misuse of power but also to the insidious and long standing misuse of ‘assumed’ power that’s the toxic underpinning of the very thing that’s threatening this country and the world right now.
This is humbling to hear and read, but it is SO crucial.
There’s going to brunch and there is going to brunch.
Free brunch, for much of our culture, is OVER.
Keep teaching, please….
Peace….
I'm an older, white female. Back in the 60's, 70's, 80's, we fought together with people for voting rights, civil rights, female rights, government transparency on Vietnam and policies, we didn't do it as whites trying to gain more privileges (except for rights for ALL females.) We all did it because we were trying to create a more perfect union for all people. Doing what was fair, moral, right.
The perception that white privilege is the reason for what is going on throws away all the events leading up to this take over of our law/order, democratic republic. 1st US Supreme Court in Citizens United case allowed numbers of mega-wealthy to get into PACS to buy the people who run for office in our local, state, federal governments. Lobbyists and donors became more important to our elected politicians than the people who they represent! 2nd US Supreme Court took away large sections of the Voting Rights Bill. Gerrymandering, voting regulations in states gave outsized power to politicians who didn't represent the majority of voters. Huge amounts of money cannot be minimized. Media, local newspapers, TV gradually became the main way to spread lies, propaganda, fear, anger and the scapegoats to blame for all complaints and pet peeves. Families gradually started living on the razor edge of bankruptcy. 2 people had to work to support themselves and perhaps a family. The newer generations have less wealth, opportunities, education than their parents. Homes, cars, college are beyond the reach of so many today.
With less education on history, civics, financial matters, people reached for any group that welcomed their dissatification and anger. The group is lead by wealthy, greedy, corrupt megalomaniacs that want more power and wealth and don't care about how they get what they want. GOP/trump/Heritage/Project 2025/Oligarchs all banded together to spead lies, propaganda that riled up their MOB. They found immigrants easy targets, POC, overseas/foreign competition for jobs/businesses, Jews, all females are again property of the male population- rape/incest criminals get small sentences, rape DNA kits are unprocessed, wealthy sex traffickers get their cases buried or witnesses disappear, court cases are dropped, people are Pardoned if they are wealthy, connected.
In trump 1.0, I found females on Twitter who had fire in their bellies to fight GOP determination to take away abortion rights. They turned out to be mostly black women. They did not want me joining forces with them because I didn't know the suffering and pain of black women. I was confused and dismayed that I couldn't help right a wrong early on. Then came the SCOTUS reversal of a 50 yr old law I helped get passed. 50 states would own the bodies of all fertile females in their borders.
I think this whole situation is because of the wealth disparity and economic conditions, because females are more and more educated and therefore capable of surviving without males. They don't want marriage, children. All males are confused and go without the importance they used to have automatically. They react with testosterone fueled anger, need for dominance. Anyone will serve as the objects they dominate.
Young white males are the ones who put trump 2.0 in power. They hang onto their cult of grievances, anger because they are probably the most undesirable group of people to mate with, marry, form a family with. They may have lower income, less upper mobility, education, social skills than any modern generation of young males. Females end up divorced raising a family and working full time/on welfare/food stamps because males want a younger, more pliable model.
Why would any person pass laws that FORCE a victim of rape, incest to give birth against their will? Dominance, increase birth rate for young workers and consumers of the future, establish females as barefoot, pregnant home workers and nannies. They must not compete with males for jobs, wages, justice, wealth, freedoms and rights.
This is basically a rich vs. poor, male vs. females, securing the top spot on the totem pole. Whoever corners the money, media, political power, white, black, tan, yellow, purple will eventually do the sames things happening now. If We ever get power of the People. law/order back, this will repeat itself in a generation or two as money, society, female/male influence/power, education becomes seriously unbalanced.
I fought peacefully for a better life for all Americans in my youth and We the People must do that NOW. I don't care who RESISTS but everyone must try to save our country and hope for the ability to vote to govern ourselves, to create a more perfect Union. Without everyone rowing to get away from this storm, We will surely sink into the darkness of dictatorship, oligarchy, theocracy like Russia and China.
Done for the day!
Thank you. Well & thoroughly said. A lot to think about.
I will keep this short. You offer analyses that want to exclude white supremacy as a major factor here. I have been in the struggle since the 60’s as well, as a Black woman. Your arguments occlude the reality of intersectionality, an idea that came from Black feminists to recognize how race is a factor among feminists. Also, I hope you’re not in a subtle way trying to say that unless Black folks show up in the way u think they should …..Blacks folks have showed up forever in this land and we will continue to do so out of self determination. Stay focused on what you want to do. We will do our job as always.
One correction on what I wrote earlier. Black feminists came up with concept of intersectionality not simply for White feminists but for all to recognize that the gender effect is also affected by race, class, sexual orientation, and on.
As always, Joy Reid is a truth teller unafraid to to confront us with our shortcomings. Such a pity that we aren't kneeling en masse before the experiences of people of color in dealing with the white ruling class & their wannabees throughout the entire history of "America." I mean, they know the drill as well as the tricks of the trade. And if you want a concrete example of how our future multiracial coalition might work, start following Bishop Barber of NC. He knows how that's done.
Beautifully articulated, Leigh! We need more men like you in the fight!
It's great to be a member of our community. As Obama used to say, "Love you back," Kelly.
May I humbly suggest that as an act of “micro resistance” to the current regime, if you’re financially able, please get out this weekend and see the movie “Audrey’s Children.” It will remind you that 1) millions of lives can be improved and saved when humans from different races, sexes, and nations come together in cooperation for a common goal; 2)amazing things can transpire when one person is relentlessly persistent in pursuing a goal and is willing to cause some “good trouble; 3)that when institutions and corporations are willing to cooperate on occasion, instead of compete, it can markedly and measurably benefit humanity; 4)the importance of having people of character and competence in charge of our national Health and Human Services Department.
https://www.audreyschildren.com/
Anand -- is this the problem? "Removing Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and the MAGA movement from power is the end goal, but putting together the necessarily multiracial coalition required to do that is a prerequisite." Isn't the long-overdue centering of BIPOC lives and voices the end goal, along with which this regime would necessarily be unimaginable? Yes we want them gone, but it's BECAUSE we want a multiracial, rich, diverse, colorful (however you want to describe it) country where white people step back and are led by anyone and everyone else. Just a white person here, so sick of us, admittedly selfishly ready for leadership by people who just seem to do life better. You are the end, not the means.
Thanks for holding the best in us up to the light. IMHO in fifty years, if our nation holds together, we will see what's happening now as the final death throes of that period of history when rich white men managed to bamboozle and bully the rest of us into submission, via a divide and conquer strategy. I mean, they aren't a majority anymore, if they ever were. Women alone comprise over 50% of the population, and by 2040 people of color will outnumber whites.
As a 73-year-old white woman, I have struggled to understand why my fellow whites continue to want that position of superiority. It seems so ingrained in many that they are unable to comprehend that we are all one human race.
Perhaps because my formative years were in the 60s I understand the fight for equality better than some who are younger. I recall riots in my hometown and voices denigrating Black Americans because of this and for other reasons. During that time I really didn't know any Black people but had read enough and learned enough to know they are no different than I.
I never thought - and still don't - think myself more exceptional or elite than any other person.
Joy, many thanks for bringing this to light. I will be doing my very best to share your thoughts with others and to vocally continue the fight for equality.
Ditto from 79 yr. old female.
The difference with today's RESIST is the young of 60's, 70's, 80's are not as idealistic. USA had won 2 World Wars, our economy was humming, higher education was more affordable, GI bill offered college benefits, wealth was distributed more equally to workers, females were getting more education, independence. The young felt secure and fired up to change the world. Now, money is the only power for political control, huge privilege, future wealth, education, manipulation of society and millions of people trying to survive.
Males want females back at home, minding children and homestead. They do not want female competition for jobs, money, power, education, rights. If females are locked out of labor market, wages for males would have to go up. Supply and demand! But only until, governments decided to let immigrant males come into the country.
I know as a white woman my skin is more privileged than POC here. But, that doesn't mean anything about my character, morals, desire for equality, freedom, peaceful, rewarding lives for all.
Probably right about idealism though maybe hope is central to the thoughts as well. We knew we could effect change because we did. I think it’s certain males - conservative/MAGA types - want “traditional” values as you mention, the women at home, etc., but I’m hopeful it is a relatively small percentage. Given the cost of living, most families can’t get by on one income.
"...White people keep saying no."
Well, there are swaths of White people that keep saying no. Not all.
There are no monoliths here. Only complexity. Complexity for Whites, Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, etc.
What I took away for myself from this discussion is: I make choices and the more my choices consider the We I am a part of, the better off we all are.
As a GenX, suburban, wyt woman who is actively committed to the work - this is one of the most relevant, perfectly articulated, necessarily direct conversations that I have ever heard! THANK YOU!!!
While attending the Seattle HANDS OFF, I was surprised to see so few Black people there. But, Joy nails it - Black Americans have zero reason to trust anything that's said, even BLACK LIVES MATTER. They have been rugpulled their entire lives. We, the People, need to earn BLACK AMERICAN trust. We've surely never had it or deserved to have it.
I hate that JoyAnn Reid was summarily cast off MSNBC - but now she can really speak truth to power - and to white-identified people - who, once again - have voted against their own economic interests and for an avowed racist nincompoop.
All I can say as a white person is Love is the answer to everything. The love that black people have given this country through the years is the example whites should take from blacks.
I’m unhappy with the Supreme Court not being able to make the administration return the men who are illegally and unconstitutionally imprisoned. They were not deported. Deported means being sent to your country of origin. The flagrant misuse of language just diminishes the extreme horror that we are witnessing.
Yes the stock market is important now but Due process protection is imperative because without it we won’t need retirement savings. It’s a slippery slope to collecting illegal immigrants and criminals etc because This will extend to others like Americans snd people who are resisting this regime. It’s not the fight for Black Americans to join because we need to shield them with our privilege and let them stay home and safe doing phone banking and boycotting etc lest more people of color are sent to out of country prisons. Judy my opinion thanks 🙏 Miss your show Joy!
I will not be a subscriber as long as you have joy read pontificating on your show. Ever since she ridiculed Bertie Sanders, I have no respect for her. And blaming white people for Black people‘s failure to show up at rallies is ridiculous.
Thank you. F*&k Joy Reid.
Great will be the day we are all in the same boat of all forms of supremacy. I think Felon in Chief was able to cut across class for mostly the reasons Joy points out.
I compared Trump’s behavior with Hitler’s behavior through the lens of Hannah Arendt’s seminal study, “The Origins of Totalitarianism”, original copyright 1948, and posted it on Apr 5, 2025 (“Remember Hitler” – 12 pages). That and your Joy Reid podcast prompted this comment.
Project 2025 is the bulk of Trump’s executive orders to date, but we still do not know Trump’s true aims. I submit we underestimate his sociopathy (impaired empathy and remorse + disinhibited and egocentric behavior), and we vastly underestimate the influence of Hitler (My New Order, original copyright 1941). Trump is not Hitler, not even close, but he knows how Hitler got his power and with grim persistence is copying him. Trump is consolidating power much like Hitler did in 1933. Next year Trump will be an octogenarian; time is not his friend, he cannot stop. Everything Trump has done from 2015 to present, including his Jan 6, 2021, insurrection, has a parallel in Hitler’s methods and oratorical techniques. Like Hitler, Trump built MAGA on a classless mass movement, he threatens Republicans and Democrats alike. Is Trump a Republican? Of course not, he is the epitome of a RINO.
My guess is he could care less about diversity, equity, or inclusion, or even gay and transgender people, or even abortion. Trump’s true aim is, I venture, no less than a legacy of power and accomplishment.
We are all in the same boat.
The interview with Joy Reid was very powerful and eye-opening. As was learning that your first name also means “Joy.”
https://www.offmessage.net/p/we-dont-have-dictators-in-america?r=1metx&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false